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Tennis Players’ Parents Association President Segun Aluko Reflects On Five Years Of Achievements
The president of Nigerian Tennis Players’ Parents Association, Segun Aluko has shot his mind back to how the body started and declared emphatically that they have a lot of achievements to be proud of over the past five years.
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Speaking exclusively to Sports247 at the ITF J30 World Tennis Tour in Abuja, Mr Aluko disclosed that the body came into being in order to assist in boosting the development of tennis further in Nigeria and he is happy that they have been making a lot of progress.
He reiterated that many Nigerian parents who have children and wards playing tennis have contributed towards improving the racquet sport in the country, but further pointed out that they also have among their members some lovers of the game whose kids are not playing it.
“I came all the way from Lagos with one of my sons to have a good experience of the J30 World Tennis Tour and to represent our association of players’ parents. We are basically an association of parents whose children play tennis in Nigeria.
“We came together as a group to see how we can help stakeholders, organisers, bodies, NGOs and Nigeria Tennis Federation in seeing how we can help tp support and add value to the game.
“We always try to see how we can improve the standard of tennis in Nigeria and, interestingly, many people who are not parents of tennis players have joined us. That’s because they love what we are doing.
“People who do not have children playing tennis, but they love the game, are now part of this association, and they have been extremely resourceful in their contributions,” Aluko revealed.
He also recalled how tennis hit rock bottom some years back in Nigeria, and expressed satisfaction with how parents of players got into full steam by organising a lot of activities, which led to a record of 40 competitions within a span of five years.
“There was a time when tennis was pretty down in Nigeria, and it was very discouraging. That made some parents feel dejected and frustrated. Personally, I have three of my children playing tennis, and it was really tough to get them into competitions.
“There were no tennis activities or programmes in Nigeria because the game was down. We couldn’t complain about what was not working because that was the best we had at that time. So, we came together as parents to establish this association and we started organising programmes.
“Over the last four-five years, we’ve organised more than 40 tennis tournaments, which is a record in this country. No organisation has come close to doing anything like that and we are still planning on doing more,” Aluko projected.
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At just seven years old, Okunrinboye Adesire Samuel is already attracting attention as one of the most exciting emerging football talents in Nigeria, with his precocious skill, discipline, and maturity marking him out as a player to watch for the future.
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Born on December 29, 2018, in Ondo Town and raised in Akure, Ondo State, Adesire is a Primary 3 pupil at Adetola International Nursery and Primary School, where he balances academic excellence with a rapidly growing football career.
Currently captaining the Under-10 side of Skima Brighten Football Academy, the young midfielder-forward has become known for his fearless dribbling, composure on the ball, and natural attacking instinct, traits that first became evident when he was only three years old.
A Talent Recognized Early
According to his father and mentor, Okunrinboye Olushola Paul, Adesire’s gift revealed itself in an unforgettable moment of childhood curiosity.
“On a particular day, our neighbor was practicing juggling, and Adesire stood frozen, watching the ball as if there was a divine connection between him and football,” his father recalled. “That was when I knew he was born to play.”
From that moment, football became inseparable from the young boy’s life.
By age two, he was already playing with his elder brother and training partner, Okunrinboye Opemipo Simeon, and by age three, his father had begun structured development of his talent.
Award-Winning Promise
Adesire’s biggest breakthrough came at the Unique Egalitarian Soccer Championship in Ede, Osun State, where he won the Most Promising Player Award, confirming his growing reputation among youth football circles.
He has since represented his academy in multiple tournaments, earning praise for his technical brilliance and courage against older, stronger opponents.
Though his dribbling flair makes him difficult to defend, it has also brought challenges.
“He loves taking on three or four defenders,” said his father. “Sometimes older players kick him to stop him, but he is learning how to balance dribbling with passing and smarter positioning.”
Football, Faith, and Character
Off the pitch, Adesire is described as calm, gentle, and compassionate, a child with what his family calls “a heart of gold.”
He is known for caring for younger children in his neighborhood, defending them, sharing food with hungry kids, and showing unusual empathy for someone his age.
He also enjoys reading the Bible, playing PlayStation football games, watching cartoons, especially Superbook, and practicing alone for hours, sometimes even indoors.
One memorable moment of that dedication came when, at age five, he accidentally broke the family television while practicing ball control in the sitting room.
“I didn’t punish him,” his father said. “I didn’t want to discourage his passion.”
Driven by Big Dreams
Adesire dreams of one day playing for Chelsea FC, inspired by global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Ronaldinho.
In his own words:
“I always ask my Daddy to take me to go and train so I can be like Ronaldinho.”
His long-term ambition is clear: to develop abroad in elite football environments such as Spain or England, where he hopes world-class coaches can refine his abilities into professional excellence.
A Father’s Commitment, A Wider Lesson
Since losing his mother, the late Mrs. Temitope Okunrinboye, Adesire has been raised in a close-knit family of three, his father, elder brother, and himself.
His father, a civil servant, has become his greatest supporter, transporting him to training sessions every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, often spending up to five hours supervising practice.
“The more you train harder, the better you become and the closer you are to your dreams,” his father tells him regularly.
Their story is increasingly being seen as a model of intentional parenting in talent development, an example of how early recognition, sacrifice, and guidance can transform raw ability into structured promise.
More Than a Football Story
Adesire’s journey is not just about football, it is also about education, parenting, and opportunity.
His story highlights the importance of discovering children’s talents early, nurturing them responsibly, and proving that academic success and athletic ambition can coexist.
For now, the gifted seven-year-old continues to train relentlessly in Akure, carrying with him not only the dreams of a child but the growing expectations of a football future Nigeria may one day celebrate on the world stage.
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Promising Nigerian talent Ifeanyi Osondu has officially taken a major step in his football career, signing his first professional contract with Hungarian club Kisvárda FC.
The youngster, who developed at Klassisch Football Academy in Lagos State, expressed excitement after sealing the move, describing it as a significant milestone in his journey.
Osondu is now set to begin a new chapter in Hungary, where he aims to showcase his abilities and make a meaningful impact with the club, fondly known as the Várkerti Vitézek.
The deal was successfully facilitated by UK-based Nigerian FIFA-licensed agent Philip Mba, who played a key role in securing the move for the highly rated prospect.
Kisvárda FC, based in the northeastern region of Hungary, provides Osondu with a platform to develop further in European football.
The move represents both an opportunity and a challenge, as he transitions from grassroots football in Nigeria to the professional ranks abroad.
Osondu’s signing reflects the growing trend of Nigerian youth talents making early moves to Europe in pursuit of development and exposure.
With the right environment and guidance, he will be looking to establish himself, gain valuable experience, and progress within the competitive European football system.
As he embarks on this new journey, expectations will be high for the young forward to adapt quickly and seize the opportunity to grow into a key player for his new club.
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DG NSC Lifts Team Nigeria Judo Camp With a Morale Boosting Visit head of African Championship in Kenya
The camp of the Nigeria senior judo team received a big boost on Monday following the visit of the Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, ahead of the forthcoming Africa senior judo championship in Kenya.
The DG and his team visited the players in training and reassured them of the Government’s full support as they intensified preparations to fly the country’s flag in Nairobi, Kenya later this month.
The DG reaffirmed the Sports Commission’s Committment to ensure no stone is left unturned for the team to prepare adequately for the tournament.
“I salute you guys dedication and commitment but at the same time I also want to urge you all to stay disciplined at all times and put in the hardwork to achieve a successful outing in Kenya”.
“I personally bring you greetings from the Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who is also keen to see that sport like Judo reaches its full potential adequate support”.
“I understand that this year’s tournament in Kenya is also a pathway to the Olympic qualifiers which attest to the seriousness the Commission has attached to your camping and preparations”.
“Be rest assured that all your requests have been approved and your guy’s job is to go out there and do the country proud in performance and in conduct”.
Captain of the team Kehinde Aremu while thanking the Director General for the morale boosting visit, added that the visit has further put more fire in their belly to go do the country proud.
The Director General later left the judokas with plenty of smiles and cheers as he personally splashed some cash on them.
The Africa senior Judo championship holds from the 20th to the 29th of April in Nairobi, Kenya.
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